Visitation will be on Sunday, November 1, from 1:00-3:30pm with the rosary for those interested starting at 3:30 pm and a prayer service starting at 4:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday, November 2, at 11:00 am all at St. Philip’s Church in Bemidji. Interment will be at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Bemidji. Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji is assisting the family.
Mike's story: Where to start? Fr. Mike was experiencing back pain this past summer which he attributed to a chronic back injury. The pain increased in strength and Fr. Mike decided it was time to see the doctor...over the next few months it was discovered Fr. Mike had Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and pancreatic cancer. Fast forward to October, 2020...Fr. Mike spent a couple of weeks in the hospital to gain strength and undergo tests to see exactly what taking place medically. It was brought to light that his bone marrow was made up of mostly CLL cells and cancer cells...but it didn't stop there...cancer had metastasized to other areas, a blood clot was found in one lung and one leg. Today, October 22, 2020, Fr. Mike is resting comfortably in his home under the watchful eyes of family and hospice. I will end this briefing with Fr. Mike's prayer which he says several times throughout the day... " Jesus Help Me".
